Lamp holder for tubular lamps



Feb. 24, 1948. J. WERITZ LAMP HOLDER FOR TUBULAR LAMPS Filed Oct. 2, 1943 ay/Ill,

Patented F eb. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAMP HOLDER FOR TUBULAR LAMPS John Weritz, Cicero, Ill.

Application October 2, 1943, Serial No. 504,745

3 Claims. (Cl. 173-328) This invention relates to lamp holders or sockets, and more particularly to holders adapted for use with tubular fluorescent lamps.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lamp holder or socket for tubular lamps, of simplified structure and improved operating characteris ics.

More specifically, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a lamp holder or socket of the type stated to which the lamp may be readily applied and moved to mounted position, and when in mounted position will be prop erly and firmly held in proper electrical contact and in maintained contact against vibration or other unauthorized forces tending to distort the positioning of the parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lamp holder of the type stated to which the lamp may be directly applied and moved to proper mounted position without twisting or turning of the lamp, and with a minimum of force, and wherein the lamp will be properly held when in operative position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lamp holder or socket for tubular lamps and the like wherein the holding force by which the holder grips the lamp, and specifically the lamp contact elements. may be adjusted to meet the requirements of any particular installation, either before, or preferably after, the lamp has been moved into mounted position.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly view, in perspective, of a tubular lamp installation including holders or sockets constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

.Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of one of the lamp holders, and taken as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the clamping or gripping elements of the holder in a different position of adjustment, and taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the holder, and taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are exploded detail views showing certain elements of the holder structure;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 4 butis to be understood that the frame In may be of any suitable shape or type, in accordance with the requirements of any particular installation, and may be either a separate or individual frame as shown, or may be a part or mounting surface formed on a larger frame structure. The frame In is adapted to carry the starter and ballast and other auxiliary equipment conventionally provided in tubular fluorescent lamp installations, such equipment being conveniently carried within a cabinet or chamber formed in the frame enclosed by a cover plate as indicated at M, Fig. 1.

As illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the tubular lamp is of the type having a pair of base members l5 and If; at the ends thereof, each base member being provided with a pair of extending contact pins [1. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, these contact pins are adapted to be electrically connected with the electrode mem bers conventionally provided in the lamp ends, as diagrammatically illustrated at 18 in Fig. 4.

The lamp holders or sockets I l and I2, forming *the subject matter of the present invention, are

secured to the frame by suitable means such as screws 20, Figs. 1 and 4, these screws being adapted to extend through slotted openings in the base portions of metal brackets 2| and through openings in the frame, and secured thereto by means such as nuts 22, Fig. 4. Both holders H and I2 may be of identical construction, and only one will be specifically described.

Referring to the holder orsocket I l, illustrated in detail in Figs. 2-6, it will be seen that the holder comprises a main body or frame member 25, of fiber or other suitable insulating material, adapted to extend through an opening in the frame [0, and secured in position by means of a screw 26 anchored to the metal bracket 2|. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the body member 25 is provided adjacent its upper end with a chamber or cut away portion 21 communicating with a pair of passages 28 and 29 extending upwardly from the chamber and through the upper surface of the body member. The body is also provided with a pair of downward extensions 35 and 3!, on either side thereof.

A pair of metal contact plates 32 and 33 are clamped to the bottom face of the fiber body or frame member 25 by means of a pair of screws 34 and 35 extending upwardly through the body. An additional pair of screws 35 and 31 also extend upwardly through the body, and are provided for urging a pair of metal contact plates 35 and 38 into clamping engagement with the plates 32 and 33. To this end the screws 35 and 31 preferably have threaded engagement with the contact plates 32 and 33, and extend loosely through openings in the contact plates 33 and 39, so that as the screws are rotated the contact plates may be drawn into tight clamping engagement. As best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the two sets of clamping contact plates are adapted to engage the ends of electric wires 45 and 4| adapted to extend to and-be suitably connected with a source of electric current supply, either directly,

or through the aforesaid auxiliary equipment, et cetera. The two sets of contact plates 32, 33 and 33, 35 thus form the terminals for the holder or socket II, by means of which the contact elements thereof are electrically connected to the source of electric current supply.

An insulating cardboard or fiber sheet piece 45, shown in perspective detail in Fig. 5, is held in position by slots formed in the: body extensions 35 and 31, and underlies and protects the contact pieces 33 and 39. A second sheet-like insulating piece 45, Fig. 5, overlies the inner face of the holder body, and is held in clamped'engagement therewith, between the body and the bracket 2|, by means of the screw 25. The sheet piece 45 is provided with a cutaway portion 41, shaped to conform to the chamber portion 21 of the holder body, and with a slot 43 adapted to receive a tongue portion 49 of the sheet piece 45. The piece 45 is also preferably provided with a pair of inturned portions 55 and which overlie and guide the electric wires 45 and 4! into engagement with the terminal plates.

The screws 34 and 35 have their lower or head ends in engagement with the terminal contact plates 32 and 33, and their upper threaded ends connected with pairs of contact members 54, 55 and 56, 51, respectively. By this means it will be seen that the screws form not only mechanical connection, but also electrical connection between the terminal contact plates 32 and 33 and the upper contact members disposed within the body chamber 21. The details of the contacts 54-51 are illustrated in Fig. 6. The contact members 54 and 55 are relatively rigid and are of angular shape, and, as shown in Fig. 6, comprise a vertical portion 55 and a shorter horizontal portion 5|. This horizontal portion is provided with a threaded opening 52 and an opening or slot 53 through whichthe contact member 55 or 51 is adapted to extend. The contact mem-- bers 55 and 51 are of lighter gauge stock whereby to be resilient in character, as distinguished from the relatively rigid contact members 54 and 55. As shown in Fig. 6, the resilient contact members 55 and 51 comprise an upstanding or generally vertically extending portion 64 and a horizontal portion 55 of greater width than the upstanding vertical portion. The horizontal portion is provided with an opening 55. The upper part of the vertically extending portion is angularly bent as indicated at 51 and provided with an inwardly struck lug or projection 55. In assembling the contact pieces 54-51, the reduced width up- 4 wnrdly extending parts of the members 55 and 51 are projected through the openings 53 in the members 54 and 55, into the position illustrated I in Figs. 2 and 3, and the screws 34 and 35 then applied. Preferably the screws 34 and have threaded engagement with the members 54 and 55 while extending freely through the members 55 and 51, and through the contact plates 32 and 33, whereby as the screws are turned a tight clamping of all of the contact pieces against the holder body 25 may be obtained. It will be seen that as the lamp I3 is applied to the holder or socket ii, the contact pins I1 01' the lamp will be passed downwardly through'the passages 23 and 25 of the body 25 and into a position between the contact members 54, '55 and 55, 51, as illustrated mm. 2.

A cam block 15 is disposed'within the body chamber 21, this cam block being formed of fiber or other suitable insulating material and having threaded engagement with an elongated. belt or screw H. The reduced lower end 12 of this screw extends into the body 25 for journalled engagement therewith, and the upper end of the screw is provided with a knurled head 13 by means of which the screw may be manually turned. The cam block 15 is of general wedgeshaped structure, the tapered surfaces of the block being adapted for engagement with the resilient contact members 55 and 51. It will be seen that as the screw 1| is actuated, the cam block 15 may be raised from an inoperative or release position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, into an operated or clamping position, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the cam block is brought into engagement with the resilient contact pieces 55 and 51 whereby to urge them into clamping engagement with the contact pins ll of the lamp, thus causing the lamp pins IT to be both mechanically gripped by the contact members 54, 55 and 55, 51 and also electrically connected thereto.

In operation, it will be understood that preferably the holders II and I2 will be mounted upon the frame It by means of the screws 25, and that the electric wires 45 and 4| will be clamped between the terminal plates 32, 38 and 33, 33, prior to the application of the tubular lamp l3 to the holder or socket members. In applying the lamp, the contact pins 11 thereof are merely passed downwardly through the passages 23 and 29 into the position illustrated .in Fig. 2, and the thumb screws 13 then actuated to raise the cam blocks or contact actuating members 15, whereby to cause the lamp pins to be tightly gripped between the contacts 54, 55 and 55, 51. It will be seen that the tubular lamp thus may be applied to the holders or sockets by a direct vertical shifting of the lamp without any twisting or turning thereof, which is particularly desirable where lamps of curved or irregular shape are used. Also, the lamp pins may be moved to position within the holders relatively freely or with a minimum of force, and the actuating cams 15 thereafter shifted to apply the desired gripping pressure between the socket contacts and the lamp pins. By this means mounting of the lamp in operative position is facilitated and there is no danger that the lamp Pins will be broken or bent. At the same time upon operation of the actuating cams the lamp pins will be firmly, mechanically and electrically connected to the socket contact members whereby to insure proper electrical contact, notwithstanding vibration or the application of other inadvertent or unauthorized forces to the lamp. The projections 88 of the contact pieces 55 and 51 aid in mechanically holding the lamp pins in proper position, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 8, whereby to properly and firmly support the lamp even though the frame II) is inverted or moved to any other-desired position. By means of the thumb screws 13 the gripping action between the socket contacts and the lamp pins may be adjustably predetermined to meet the requirements of any particular installation. Obviously the cams may be adjusted either before or after the lamp is moved to supported position, the resiliency of the contact pieces 55 and 51 being relied upon to permit movement of the lamp pins past the contact projections 68, but preferably the cams 10 are adjusted after the lamp pins have been moved into supported position, so that the lamp may be mounted with a minimum of force upon the pins.

Various size lamp pins i1, within limits, may be accommodated within the same sockets or holders. Also, proper contact between the holder contacts and the pins Will be obtained even though the pins at each end ofthe lamp are not in complete parallelism with respectto each other, or are not precisely positioned. By this means greater manufacturing tolerances in the manufacturing of the lamp bases l5 and L6 is permitted. Also, twisting of the frame I0 does not disrupt the contacts, and the use of a lighter weight frame is thus enabled.

The socket or holder of the present invention may be readily adapted for use with difierent types of lamp contact elements. For example, In Fig, '7 an embodiment is illustrated adapted for use with a lamp having but a single end contact pin "a. It is believed that the structure and operation of the holder or socket shown will be clear from what has heretofore been said with reference to Figs. l-6; suflice to say that in this instance only one set of socket contacts 56a and 51a need be provided, and the actuating cam 10a need be provided with only a single tapered surface for cooperation with the contact 51a. In this instance also a notch may be provided in the contact piece 56a for cooperation with the projection 68a in gripping the lamp contact pin and mechanically holding it in proper position. Obviously notches such as shown at 15 may also be used on the contact pieces 54 and 56 as used in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-6.

In Fig. 8 a still further modified embodiment is illustrated. In this instance the lamp i 3b is of the type having a socket-like end contact 16, in place of a projecting pin or pins, as in the embodiments previously described. For cooperation with this socket-like end contact, the holder lib is in this instance provided with a single contact piece 11 having at its upper end a projection 18 somewhat similar to the projection 68 previously described, but of larger size. The contact member I1 is preferably of resilient character, so that as the actuating cam 10b is raised, the projection 18 of the contact member will be forced into the socket-like lamp contact 16, as'will be understood. In this instance the cam 10b is shaped so that the tapered cam surface thereof projects the contact piece I1 axially of the lamp rather than laterally as in the previously described embodiments.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments set forth for pur poses of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiments of said socket contact member into clamping enshown and described. but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A lamp socket for tubular lamps and the like of the type having an elongated pin-like contact member and comprising a housing of insulating material having a recess therein and an exteriorly open passage communicating with said recess and adapted to guide the lamp contact member into the said recess transversely of the lamp axis, a fixed abutment surface at one side of said recess and against which the lamp contact member is adapted to be clamped, a resilient socket contact member disposed within said recess and having one end thereof connected to said housing, said socket contact member having the opposite free end portion thereof inwardly offset intermediate the ends thereof'and flared at an angle away from said fixed abutment surface, a cam member disposed in said recess and beneath the flared end portion of said socket contact member and adapted for movement toward the free end thereof and into contact with the flared offset end portion thereof, and means connected to said cam member within said recess and extending outside of said housing to provide for external manual shifting of the cam member against said flared offset endportion whereby to shift the free end gagement with the lamp contact member.

2. A lamp socket for tubular lamps and me like of the type having an elongated pin-like contact member and comprising a housing of insulating material having a recess therein and an exteriorly open passage communicating with said recess and adapted to guide the lamp contact member into the said recess transversely of the lamp axis, a fixed socket contact member at one side of said recess and against which the lamp contact member is adapted to be clamped, a resilient socket contact member disposed within said recess and having one end thereof connected to said housing, said resilient socket contact member having the opposite free end portion thereof inwardly ofiset intermediate the ends thereof and flared at an angle away from said socket contact member, a cam member disposed in said recess and beneath the flared end portion of said resilient socket contact member and adapted for movement toward the free end thereof and into contact with the flared offset end portion thereof, means connected to said cam member within said recess and extending outside of said housing to provide for external manual shifting of the cam member against said flared offset end portion whereby to shift the free end of said resilient socket contact member into clamping engagement with the lamp contact member, and a projection extending inwardly from adjacent the free end of said resilient socket contact member for positively engaging the lamp contact member.

3. A lamp socket for tubular lamps and the like of the type having a pair of elongated pinlike contact members and comprising a, housing of insulating material having a recess therein and a pair of parallel exteriorly open passages communicating with said recess and adapted to guide the lamp contact members into the said recess transversely of the clamp axis, a pair of fixed socket contact members one disposed at each side of said recess and against which the lamp contact members are adapted to be clamped, a pair of resilient socket contact members disposed within said recess and inwardly of said fixed socket contact members and each having one end 7 thereof connected to said housing, each of said resilient socket contact members having the optact with the flared oitset end portions thereof, 1

and a bolt Journalled in said housing between the free ends of said resilient contact members and threadedly engaging said cam member within said recess and extending exteriorly or said housing to provide for external manual shifting or the cam member against the flared oflset end portions oi said resilient contact members whereby to shift the free end portions thereor into clamping engzgement with an adjacent lamp contact meml'. JOHN WERITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,175,883 De Reamer Oct. 10, 1939 2,282,875 Mueller May 12, 1942 15 2,292,051 Chirelstein Aug. 4, 1942 1,987,772 Eberhardt Jan. 15, 1935 

